Philippines protests China’s ‘illegal’ South China Sea presence

This was 84th diplomatic protest since Duterte took office

The Philippines has protested China’s continuing “illegal presence and activities” near an island in the South China Sea held by the Southeast Asian nation, the Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. Manila lodged the diplomatic protest on Friday over the”incessant deployment, prolonged presence, and illegal activities of Chinese maritime assets and fishing vessels” in the vicinity of Thitu island. It demanded its giant neighbour withdraw the vessels.